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Nashville News and Notes for TUESDAY

Blake Shelton's upcoming benefit for Oklahoma tornado victims continues to grow.Darius Rucker is among the latest stars to sign on for the event.The lineup also now features Blake's fellow "Voice" coach Usher.Shelton announced the fundraiser last week, with an initial performers list that included fellow Oklahoma-born stars Reba McEntire and Vince Gill, as well as his wife Miranda Lambert.Rascal Flatts and OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder are also slated to appear."Healing in the Heartland" is set to take place at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City on May 29th.The show will be carried live on NBC.

Trisha Yearwood Honors Carole King At White House Event

Trisha Yearwood is helping honor a songwriting legend.The country star is among those who took part in an event at the White House last week saluting Carole King as this year's recipient of the Library of Congress' Gershwin Prize for popular song."USA Today" says Yearwood helped launch the concert in King's honor, joining Gloria Estefan and Emile Sande in a performance of "Will You Love Me Tomorrow."The ladies sang the song in the manner of one of the girl groups the song was originally written for, with synchronized dance moves and hand gestures.The show also featured performances from James Taylor, Billy Joel, Jesse McCartney, as well as King herself.President Obama was also on hand to make the award presentation."Carole King: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize In Performance at the White House" is scheduled to air on PBS tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

Miranda Lambert Recalls First Hearing John Fogerty's Music

Miranda Lambert says John Fogerty was her introduction to rock music.The country star tells "The Los Angeles Times" that her roots are definitely in country.But her dad was a big fan of Creedence Clearwater Revival, which was "the first thing" she heard that "wasn't country music."She adds that she "just loved it," because it "sounded different" from anything else she knew.Lambert explains that Fogerty's voice and guitar playing are "so distinctive," and it's "obvious from the first note who it is."And Miranda has now collaborated with him.She's one of several country stars featured on John's new album, "Wrote A Song For Everyone."Lambert is featured along with Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello on the disc's title track.

For the project Fogerty teamed up with a variety of other stars to remake tracks from his extensive catalog.Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Alan Jackson, and Zac Brown Band are some of the other country artists who contribute to the disc."Wrote A Song For Everyone" arrives in stores today.

The second of the three albums Gretchen Wilson is releasing this year arrives in stores today."Under The Covers" features the country star's versions of songs that inspired her.The 12-track disc is packed with classic rock hits from the 1970s and '80s.For the project the "Redneck Woman" puts her own spin on The Faces' "Stay With Me," Foreigner's "Hot Blooded," Billy Squire's "Everybody Wants You," and Cheap Trick's "I Want You To Want Me."She also remakes songs originally made famous by Bob Seger, Bad Company, Van Morrison, Journey, Jackson Browne, and others."Under The Covers" comes on the heels of Wilson's April release, "Right On Time."But the turn-around for Gretchen's third album won't be quite as quick.Her next project is a Christmas album, which she's planning to have in stores in October.

Kenny Chesney Describes His Process With Latest Album

Kenny Chesney says he took a different -- and rather unusual -- approach as he was working on his latest CD, "Life on a Rock."

Chesney adds that on this album, more than any record he's previously made, he was "able to be a storyteller."The country superstar explains that he worked without boundaries, and he didn't try to edit himself throughout the process.

Chesney is spending the summer touring behind his chart-topping album.The next stop on his "No Shoes Nation" tour is coming up in Boise, Idaho on Thursday.

Eric Church Admires The Passion, Commitment Chesney Puts Into Career

Eric Church says he's enjoying performing at select shows on Kenny Chesney's tour this spring and summer.The country singer explains that he really admires Chesney.

Church is on the lineup for the stadium shows on Chesney's "No Shoes Nation" which continues through August.Eric performed with Kenny at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland over the weekend.His next date with Chesney is coming up in Seattle, Washington on Saturday.

Pistol Annies Reflect On Relationships

Pistol Annies' Ashley Monroe is engaged to be married.But the country singer tells Nashville's "Tennessean" she believes it's "the most unnatural thing for two humans, especially of the opposite sex, to live in harmony under one roof."She explains that it really highlights "how different men and women are."But bandmate Miranda Lambert, who just marked her second wedding anniversary with Blake Shelton, says marriage is awesome."She also adds that she and Shelton "have two separate farms."Monroe, who's fiance is Chicago White Sox pitcher John Danks, is the last member of the trio to tie the knot.Bandmate Angaleena Presley got married last year.

Lambert says it's actually worked out well that the three of them are starting this new phase of life at the same time, because Pistol Annies music highlights their common bonds.Miranda explains that while their first album reflected their similar tastes and backgrounds, they were able to tap into their home lives and relationships for their second disc."Annie Up," featuring the single "Hush, Hush," is in stores now.

Kip Moore Enjoying His Juicer

Kip Moore thinks fans might be surprised by the most popular thing he brings on the road.The country singer says these days the juicer is the "top dog" on his tour bus.

But Kip says the juicer is causing him and his bandmates to change their diet -- for the better.He explains that they'll use the juicer all throughout the day instead of downing plates of macaroni and cheese and corn dogs, and they're feeling healthier as a result.

Taylor Swift Says She Admires Madonna's Unpredictability

Taylor Swift is expressing her admiration for Madonna.The country-pop superstar, who recently picked up eight awards at the Billboard Music Awards, tells the magazine that she looks up to how the Queen of Pop has been able to re-invent herself so many times in her career.The 23-year-old says she's found that it's "easier to stay in one look, one comfort zone, one musical style," and that Madonna's ever-changing image is what sets her apart.Swift adds that it's "inspiring to see someone whose only predictable quality is being unpredictable."

Country Birthdays Include

Phil Vassar is 49.

Today In Country Music History

Today in 1967, Barbara Mandrell married Ken Dudney.Barbara met Ken when he was hired by her family's band, The Mandrells, as a drummer.They were married shortly after Ken received his wings as a Navy pilot.

Today in 1988, Kathy Mattea's single "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses" was number one for the second consecutive week.

Today in 1991, Travis Tritt's "It's All About To Change" album was released.

Today in 2000, Trisha Yearwood and John Schneider performed on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC as part of the National Memorial Day Concert.

Today in 2003, Emerson Drive announced that keyboardist Chris Hartman had left the group.

Today in 2005, Keith Urban's "Making Memories Of Us" hit number one on the Billboard country singles chart.The song kept the top spot for five weeks.

Today in 2006, Lee Ann Womack and Big & Rich were among the performers at the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, DC.

Today in 2006, Montgomery Gentry's hit "Gone" was featured on an episode of HBO's "The Sopranos."

Today in 2009, Randy Houser and Jamey Johnson performed at "The Traler Park Revival Show" at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.The charity event supported the Opry Trust Fund, which helps those in the country music industry who are in financial need.

Today in 2009, George Strait released the single "Living For The Night."

Today in 2010, the Lost Trailers announced that the group was splitting up.

Today in 2011, Kellie Pickler took part in the Indianapolis 500 parade, debuting her single "Tough" at the event.

Today in 2012, Luke Bryan performed his hits "Drunk On You" and "Do I" on "The Bachelorette."Dolly Parton was also featured on the episode.